City/in-house and ex-lawyers - advice please on change of career

[crumpet]

I'm an in-house lawyer ready to move on. An opportunity has just come up with another company for a "commercial" rather than a legal role - very early days, just had a phone interview and another informal interview coming up. There is already a legal team supporting that division.

I'm torn between enthusiasm at what seems to be an interesting role and terror at moving away from my legal comfort zone - I know how to be a lawyer but am worried about my ability to be a "commercial person". Also how difficult is it really likely to be to move back into law if it doesn't work out?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has thought about changing, made the change, or anyone else!

was a commercial lawyer at magic circle firm
became commercial director at a software company
am now back in the law (in different role)

go for it! your legal training/brain will be extremely useful, the rest is common sense. if the thought of the job fires you up, and they give it to you, then it will easily be something you can manage.

v easy to move back into the law I think- especially if you can say that as part of your role you were responsible for the legal function, and had additional responsibilities, IYSWIM. Make sure you stay on the roll. Do CAT me if you like!

Thanks both. The job description has just come through with the uninspiring title of "Commercial Contracts Manager", which I think I may feel a bit snobbish about (particularly should I wish to head back into law). But it still sounds an interesting role, with an international element and a number of other plus points...

Meeting the chap for a coffee tomorrow so will see.

Do you know whether I'm still able to keep up my practising certificate in in a non-legal role?

you don't need a practicing certificate unless you are doing probate or conducting litigation or something or other else. anyway you don't need it and it is irrelevant and expensive. You DO need to keep yourself on the roll, however, at the princely cost of £25 per year. That is the key thing which will keep you ticking over as a solicitor and enable you to apply rfor a practising cert if and when you DO need it again. If you fall off the roll and stay of for more than x years (5?) you have to REQUALIFY! [faint]. And staying on the roll also provides you with that lovely plastic law society membership card which is jolly useful if you ever want to get membership of Costco (well at least that;s the only use I've ever found for it!!!)

The title COmmercial Contracts Manager would sound some alarm bells in my head too. I'd be very careful that the role is what you think it is, and not slightly sexed up to make it sound more interesting etc, because you are right it won't look great on a cv. But that could be part of your negotiation - that you want a different title to reflect the more wide ranging role?

Anyway good luck!

The Law Society Gazette!
World dullest mag
No they don't send me one for my £25pa thank GOD

Re. practising certificate, I know, I know - but did I mention comfort zones?? Interesting that you don't need one to stay on the roll - I think I'd thought the two were linked, but never needed to consider the issue as companies I've worked for so far have automatically renewed each year.

Thanks for this - I may be back for input on job titles soon (or be back to same old same old and looking out for another opportunity...). Having said that, once I do get myself sorted out JP-ing/judging (not of the MN variety) is on my to do list at some point, so I may be back to check out your progress!

I haven't had a practicing cert since.... ummm..... 2002
Criteria for judic. appt is simply whether you are on the roll (another reason not to drop off)!
Yes when you've spoken to the bloke come back on here and we'll make up your job title

phone them up issy. they are super helpful. I think you can't hold yourself out as a solicitor if you are off the roll... might be wrong though

hoorah
think tis worth doing

I love that
You'd be in your mid 70s by that time, so it isn't even a nodding concession to OAPs! You'd have paid it for at least a decade after retirement before you got there (WHY would you pay to stay on the roll after retirement I wonder? To maintain your costco membership?!)

Some people just never retire...